Constructing Londinium

Long before there was London, there was LONDINIUM, the capital of Roman Britain for almost 400 years. But how was it built? Join archaeologists Dr.SIMON ELLIOT and Dr.IAN BETTS on a time travelling tour of the building sites of Britain’s first city.

The highway that linked Roman Britain to the continent, passes through Kent - the first place the Romans landed and the last they left as they came under attack. It is also the place they discovered the materials to build their city.

From the mid-1st to the mid-3rd century AD much of the building stone for Roman London was provided by ragstone quarries in the upper Medway Valley. One of these quarries was possibly the largest man-made hole in Europe. Dr.SIMON ELLIOT will explain the fascinating story of how this came to be, how the quarries were operated, how the stone was transported, and what became of the industry.

In 2016 whilst excavating in advance of construction of an office building in Lime Street, Dr.IAN BETTS of MOLA discovered the remains of an elaborate wall fresco from the late 1st century A.D. It had been painted by a master craftsmen with pigments imported to Londoniumfrom Spain. It was top quality work made for one of the most luxurious homes of the era. and just one of the discoveries MOLA have made revealing the interior style of the wealthiest Roman families.

Ian will reveal how use brick, tile, daub and mudbrick, marble and plaster were used to create the most sophisticated interiors in Britain in the years of the occupation.